Ellicott City

February 2, 2026 Candlemas Day Peace and Good, I have been in Ellicott City, doing a lot of spiritual direction work. I am catching up from the appointments I could not make while I was in Texas giving a retreat to our students, and also to all the appointments that had to be cancelled in the recent bad weather. Here in Baltimore we have had the coldest week I every remember. Hardly any of the snow that fell a week ago has melted. I think that will change a bit this week, but it will probably make conditions in the evening and night dangerous for all the melted snow will refreeze as ice on the roads. I have a couple of writing projects that I am working upon as time permits. One is to revise a number of the Good News Notes that I wrote many years ago. The other is I am doing short reflections for the Sundays of this year on the life of St. Francis and his spirituality (given that this is the year of St. Francis) and the other is to do short reflections for Tuesdays of this year (showing how St. Anthony was a good disciple of St. Francis). Then there are the normal daily podcasts on the readings for the Mass of the day. I don't have any big events in these coming weeks, other than two parish missions in the area. I have been doing a number of one time events (talks, question and answer sessions, etc.) for faith sharing groups in the area, and I truly enjoy that kind of work. I have finished some reading and listening: Wittgenstein in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern This is part of a series of short books on philosophers produced by Paul Strathern, a very good historian on things British. This volume was very confused because the life and teachings of Wittgenstein were very confused. He especially dedicated himself to studies in language and logic, and more than once he declared all other philosophy to be dead. At the very least, Wittgenstein is seen to be self-contradictory and an incredible egoist and strange. The Bombardment of Fort Sumter by Jonathan Gianos-Steinberg This is a short account of the early days of the Civil War, for the secession of the Southern States to form the Confederate States, to the role of Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln in those days, to the decision of the Southern States to force the issue at Fort Sumter, a Federal fort in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Gauguin by Delphi Art Books This art book presents the story of Gauguin who started his career as a stock broker and then decided to become an artist. I liked Gauguin’s pastoral works, but I found his paintings of humans a bit odd. He was influenced by the time he spent in Martinique and Tahiti. I have to say that he will not be one of my favorite artists. Tales of the Cryptids: Mysteries of Creatures that May or May Not Exist by Kelly Milner This is a collection of stories about mythic animals that have been spoken of for centuries. The author recounts how much evidence there is for the existence of these creatures. He also presents a couple of stories of animals that everyone thought were mythic, but then turned out to actually exist. The First Paul by Marcus Borg This is a study of the theology of St. Paul, especially from the viewpoint of his radical sociology (speaking well of both Jews and pagans and being, mostly, considerate of the role of women). Borg argues that many of the phrases that moderns dislike about Paul were actually from the letters which he did not write (e.g. the Pastorals, Ephesians, Colossians, etc.). His insights are very good, even if I think he pushes his point of view a bit too much. 5 Lessons from Augustine by Oswald Sobrino This is part of a series of short presentations on various theologians and philosophers in which Sobrino quotes various sayings of the main figure and then discusses the value of what has been said. This is the first volume that I have read. It seemed as if Sobrino was using Augustine simply to say what he felt needed to be said. The Catch by Mick Herron This is the story of a spy whose job is not really in the field, but much more to be the tender of other not so important people, one of whom has decided to accept agency funds but not be accountable to his superiors. The Chinese Zodiac in Cultures and Traditions by Cindy I-Fun Cheng This was a series of lectures explaining the animals associated with the Chinese Zodiac and other factors that enter into establishing a prediction for people. The professor relates the mythological background of each of the animals and how they relate to people today. Polar Explorations by Multiple Professors This is a collection of various topics on life and weather and wildlife and topographical issues at the North and South Pole. The various professors are obviously excited about the topics they discuss. The lectures are a bit uneven in value, especially since some are dedicated to particular, narrow topics (e.g. photography in these areas). Nevertheless, the course as a whole was very good. The Battle of the Kalka River by Charles River Editors This is the story of a major battle between the Mongols and the troops of the various Russian city states. The Russians, being terribly disorganized, were soundly defeated and then and later they passed under the yoke of the Mongols. One good thing, however, is that the Mongols really only asked for tribute and did not interfere with the culture or language or religion of their conquered peoples. The Enemy by Lee Child This is one of the Reacher stories by Lee Child. In this case, a general dies of a heart attack while he is on his way to a mysterious meeting. Reacher must sort out what he was doing in a motel far off his expected travel plans, and also what the meeting would have been all about. It turns out to be a much more involved mystery that one would have expected. Mozart: His Life and His Music by Robert Greenberg This is a Great Courses presentation, part of a series on great composers. Greenberg is insightful and funny at the same time. He gives a very good insight into the work and the person of Mozart, dispelling many of the myths that have arisen about him over the ages. Mozart comes across as a brilliant, obsessed, slightly broken composer who was probably too inventive for his time (but would be appreciated much more in years to come). Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - San Antonio - Ellicott City

January 14, 2026 Peace and Good, The good news is that my arms are almost completely healed. I will have my last xray of the elbows this coming Thursday. Last week I was in San Antonio to give a retreat to our post-novitiate friars and also some OFM friard who study down there. The topic was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. I think it went quite well. I am catching up on spiritual direction this week, for all the people whom I could not see last week. I love doing this work. I get to sit and speak about spiritual things with people. It is great. The weather here in Baltimore is cool, but not all that bad. In San Antonio, it was in the 70's and low 80's. I and the friars watched a Kevin Costner special called the First Christmas. It is presented as a type of documentary. It is one hour and 40 minutes long, and it is very good. It is available on Disney and Hulu. I finished some books: Brother Francis by Eileen Douglas This is a very simple biography of St. Francis. It is not profound in its insights, but it is good to go over the basic facts every once in a while because they were in danger of slipping into the background. C.S. Lewis: Christology and Cosmology by Michael Ward This is a Learn25 course on the writings of C.S. Lewis. This course is the case of a professor who has written on a rather narrow topic and presents it as the explanation to everything that another author has written. There are some good insights, but I could not recommend this particular course. Kant in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern This is part of a series of monographs by Paul Strathern on various philosophers. The author admits that the thought of Kant is very often so dense that almost no one can understand it. He mixes facts with mild humor, making the books in this series enjoyable, even if the topic is quite profound. Pompei: Daily Life in an Ancient Roman City by Steven Tuck This is a course from the Teaching Company. The professor deals with the city of Pompei before, during and after the explosion of Mt. Vesuvius. He speaks extensively of what we can learn about the daily lives of the people who lived there. He deals with the archeological ruins and what they mean. This is a fine course, well worth seeing. The Mormon People: the Making of an American Faith by Matthew Bowman This is a history of the beliefs of Mormonism from its earliest days to the present. It speaks of the lives and careers of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. It deals with some of the greatest controversies, e.g. the teachings on polygamy, the battles between Mormonism and federal troops, a massacre that Mormons seem to have instigated against a wagon train of settlers. It also outlines the structure of the religion, the beliefs of modern Mormons, etc. William Shakespeare by Chronicle Press I don’t think that I would be reading the short books produced in this series if they were not free on Kindle. These books tend to be poorly edited. Yet, this volume on the life and writings of Shakespeare is one of the best I have found in this series. The author deals with the fact that we have so little first hand information on Shakespeare’s life (e.g. no personal letters). We have to deduce what we can from his own writings and from some occasional outside sources, e.g. court records for lawsuits, etc. A History of Japan by R.H.P. Mason and J.G. Caiger This is a rather long history of Japan from its earliest days up to the present. It deals with pre-historic culture, the rise of the warrior states, the role of the emperor, the period of the shoguns, the Meigi revival and the growth of the modern Japanese state, and World War II and its aftermath. It also deals with culture and religion, e.g. the tension and cooperation between Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. This is a very good study of Japan. A History of Ancient Rome by Frances Tichener This is a series of lectures from the Modern Scholar series. The professor is clear and informative. Once in a while she makes a statement about facts that I am fairly sure are not entirely accurate. Yet, the lectures are well prepared and presented. Gladiators: Deadly Arena Sports of Ancient Rome by Christopher Epplett This book speaks of the birth of gladiatorial and animal-based entertainment in anci3ent Rome. It traces its cultural and religious roots, and then speaks of the practical consequences of running massive forms of entertainment that might involves scores of gladiators and hundreds of wild animals (which were used to fight each other, to fight so-called hunters, or even to kill prisoners). The author deals a bit with the psychology of the crowd that would entertain themselves with such bloody events. HE also speaks of the end of gladiatorial combat and eventually also animal spectacles due to the influence of Christianity. The Buried Book: the Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh by David Damrosch This is a book that speaks about the discovery and decipherment of clay tablets in Iraq which told the story of Gilgamesh, e.g. a great hero from Mesopotamian culture. It deals with some of the careers of archeologists and their respect or lack thereof of the local culture. Toward the end of the book there is also an overview of the people and culture that produced these stories. Banned Books by DK DK is a series of books that give short articles on a topic, often thrown together in a somewhat haphazard manner. This volume speaks of books that have been banned for religious, political, or moral reasons. It deals with the content but also the consequences of the banning (which, ironically, was often to call attention to the book and to boost its sales). 10 Great What-ifs of American History by Adam Jortner This is a series of lectures about possible alternatives in history, how things could have gone very differently if only one thing had changed, e.g. if Columbus had not discovered America, if JFK had not been assassinated, etc. I usually don’t like alternative history, but these scholars are serious about their efforts, giving good reasons why this or that could have happened and what the consequences might have been. Napoleon by David Bell This is a rather short biography of Napoleon. The book is not a deep study of any part of his life or career, but it does serve to give a good outline of the facts about Napoleon’s life. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

December 28, 2025 Peace and Good, I have been home at the Shrine for the past couple of weeks. It has been very busy with spiritual direction appointments as people were getting ready for Christmas. I have also been writing a few articles for the magazine in Padua, Italy for which I write (in English). This series has to do with relatively minor archaeological discoveries and how they incluence the way that we look at the Bible. The smallest thing can give evidence either for or against the historicity of events mentioned in Sacred Scriptures. I will be flying down to Texas in a week to preach a retreat to our post-novitiate students. This year I have covered all the levels of formation, giving workshops to the novices and postulants and now the retreat to the students. People have so remarkably kind to us these days with baked goods, etc. I am sure that all of us have put on 10 pounds during the holidays. I was listening to a presentation on spirituality a few days ago by Ilia Delio, a Franciscan sister. She spoke of creation, and how God sang everything into being. This is the first time I have ever heard this expression, and it just sounded so right. It fits in well with what I have been thinking about the role of hmans in creation to be the choir masters to lead creation in the praise of God (as St. Francis did in his Canticle of the Creatures). For Christmas, I was also reflecting on how, when we give adjuctives to God, it involves power and control. Yet, when he came to earth, he came as a helpless baby. Does this mean that God is not only all-powerful but also all-vulnerable? I have finished some reading and listening: The CSS Alabama by Charles River Editors The Alabama was a ship built in Great Britain during the Civil War, theoretically as a trading ship but everyone knew that it was really constructed as a commerce raider. It travelled throughout the Atlantic and even into the Indian ocean and sank numerous ships before it was sunk by a Union battleship off the coast of France. Mandela: an Audio History by Nelson Mandela This is a short outline of the life and career of Nelson Mandela, largely told by excerpts from his speeches and writings concerning the fight for justice in South Africa. The Assassination of the Archduke by Greg King and Sue Woolmans This book is a bit long for the topic and spends much time talking about the indignities that the wife of Archduke Ferdinand suffered from the fact that she was a Morganatic wife. She was not a member of the higher level of royalty in the Austro-Hungarian empire, so she and Ferdinand had to give up the rights of their children to inherit the crown, and she was treated poorly throughout her marriage. The author deals with the shocking lack of protection they received when they visited Sarajevo and the incredible heartlessness with which they were buried, raising suspicion that Franz Josef knew about the coming assassination attempt and was actually part of some of its planning. The Fall and Rise of China by Richard Baum This is a long series of lectures on the history of China from the 19th century to the present. The author is familiar with the topic both from theory but also from personal experience in the late decades of the 20th century. The lectures are insightful and informative. The presenter has no axes to grind, but is quite honest about both the positive and negative developments of the various periods of Chinese history. Chinese History: 500 Interesting Facts by Ahoy Publications This is a series of factoids about Chines culture from its earliest days up to the present. I like this sort of book. It is like a primer for the TV show Jeopardy. Camille Pissarro by Delphi Art Works This is part of a series of books on famous and influential artists throughout the ages. This one deals with a person who could be considered to be one of the most influential artist in the second half of the 19th century, bringing in new art techniques and serving as a mentor of other men who would eventually become famous artists themselves. I did not find Pissarro’s portraits that inspiring, but his landscapes and portraits of everyday life are breathtaking. The Phoenicians by Captivating History This is a short history of the Phoenician people (from what today is Lebanon), their origin, culture, religion and history. They became quite rich through trading, and thus became an appealing target for surrounding empires (e.g. Persians, Egyptians, Alexander the Great). They also founded a trading empire all throughout the Mediterranean world, including the city of Carthage. Volcanoes: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Branney and Jan Zalasiewicz This is part of an extensive series of very short introduction books. It contains a series of short articles on volcanoes. It is very informative, if a bit dry (which is sort of what one should expect when one pastes together a series of Wikapaedia articles on a particular topic. It does give a ton of information on the topic. Bone Cold by Debra Webb This book is based on the story of a series of children who have been abducted. It turns out that they are products of a Nazi based scientist who is doing genetic and cloning experiments. The detective and her estranged FBI husband hunt for the truth and possibly for their own daughter who was also abducted. The Pirate Hunter by Richard Zachs This book is based on the premise that Captain Kidd was hired by the British government to hunt other pirates and he was betrayed by various people who then accused him of being a pirate himself. The author seems to have decent evidence, but I always get worried when an author seems to be on a crusade to prove his own argument, which is what this author seems to be doing. Marx’s General by Tristam Hunt This is a biography of Frederick Engels, the collaborator and financier of Karl Marx. The author tells the story of the development of the Marxist theory, and of how Marx and Engels need each other as they set the groundwork for this movement. Hunt tells the story from the viewpoint of Engels, an industrialist who financed Marx who spent his time theorizing. It also deals with the flaws in the characters of each, and of the tragic consequences of both their theories and the hijacking of their theories. The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg This is a long retelling of Jewish legends that have evolved over the centuries concerning the early days of the Jewish faith up to the time of Moses. These are not stories contained in the Bible, but rather fictional embellishments of the story to show how the Jewish characters were incredibly heroic and virtuous, so much so that even pagans recognized their greatness. Have a good week. Happy New Year fr. Jude

Ellicott City

December 14, 2025 Peace and Good, I am writing this blog looking out the window at a beautiful snowy forests scene. We received a couple of inches of snow last night and everything is covered with just enough snow to make it the perfect winter scene. The snow has stopped, at least for now. I have to admit that being from Buffalo, it is what we would call a light frost, but here in Baltimore they judge it differently. I have been busy with spiritual direction these weeks, often having three or four people each day (in addition to Masses and confessions). It is a good rhythm, and i feel very useful doing this. I have also started to write a new series of articles for the Messenger of St. Anthony, the magazine for which I have written since 1982. This series is on particular archaeological discoveries and how they impact on Biblical knowledge. None of the discoveries is tremendous, but in archaeology, even the smallest things can give one insight into the larger society. I will be here in Baltimore until early January when i will fly down to San Antonio to preach a retreat to our students down there. My elbows and arms are healing nicely (after my fall in California). The x rays I had this week show that the broken bones are healing. My left arms is about 95% back to normal, while my right arm is 80% (which is confirmed by how well healed each arm is). I have finished some reading and listening: Hannibal: The Military Genius who almost conquered Rome by Eve MacDonald This is a well presented visual biography of the Carthaginian military leader who invaded Italy and consistently defeated Roman forces, and yet who lost the war because the Roman didn’t know when to give in. The professor gives a great account of the background of Hannibal, his military techniques, the difficulties Rome faced in this war, etc. The Fetterman Massacre by Charles River Editors This was one of the largest defeats of the US forces as they set up forts on Native American territory in the Western States. This one occurred in the Powder River area in 1866 (a decade before Custer was killed). The first half of the book tells the story of how the Native Americans camping around Fort Kearney learned the techniques used by the soldiers and then baited and ambushed them. Fetterman took a large contingent out to defend some soldiers who were cutting wood and had been attacked, but he went too far and was attacked by a massive force. The second half of the book speaks of the question of who was to blame for what happened. Babylonian Mythology and Legends by Chronicle Press This short presentation gives an outline of the pantheon of Babylon and Sumerian and Akkadian cultures. It is not as organized or as complete a presentation as I would have wished, especially because these are cultures that interacted with Canaanite and Jewish cultures. The Secession of the South by Jonathan Gianos-Steinberg and Charles River Editors This short presentation speaks about the process of the session of the southern States upon the election of Abraham Lincoln and especially after he called up the militia after the attack on Fr. Sumpter in the Charleston harbor. The author makes very clear that the states seceded because of slavery and not to protect states rights. Aquatic Cryptids by Chronicle Press This is part of the cryptid (legendary but scientifically unproven) animals, this one dealing with sea creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster. The author gives the various stories without fighting for their veracity or falsity. It is a good overview. Baltic Mythology and Legends by Chronicle Press This is a short catalog of some of the pagan gods of the Baltic region. The one thing I did not like about the presentation is the obvious bias against Christianity, as if it destroyed something that is good and precious. Furthermore, the author makes it sound almost as if these gods are still being worshipped. While I believe that there are some surviving pagan customs in the cultures of that area, I doubt that people are running out to the woods to make sacrifice. River of the Gods by Candice Millard This is the story of the discovery of the source of the Nile River by two British explorers, Richard Burton (not the actor) and John Speke. The book covers both their exploration efforts, and their prickly personalities. It is astounding how two men of such willingness to suffer all sorts of difficulties were so petty and vindictive in their relationship with each other. Covert Operations in World War II by Charles River Editors This is an outline of a few of the covert operations of the British and American espionage services during World War II. I have read other books on this topic which I found much more informative, but that is to be taken for granted given the short nature of the Charles River presentations. Meister Eckhart’s Book of the Heart by Jon Sweeney and Mark Burrows This is a book of poetry based on the theology/spirituality of the German Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart who emphasized the unknowability and love of God. I usually don’t like poetry all that much, but this volume was a pleasant surprise. Pierre-August Renoir by Delphi Art Books This is a good presentation of the art of Renoir and an outline of his life. The Delphi series presents a chronicle of the artist’s life illustrating the points being made with some of his masterpieces. It then shows all of the extant pictures one after another. I enjoy the various volumes of the series. Raoul Wallenberg by Hourly History Raoul Wallenberg was the Swedish businessman/diplomat whose efforts saved thousands of Jews in Budapest when the Nazis gained control of the country and began deporting the Jewish people to the extermination camps. Ironically, he was arrested by the Soviets when they conquered the city and was never seen again, probably dying in a prison or prison camp in their Gulag. Canine Cryptids by Chronicle Press This is part of the chronicle press series which cover a number of interesting topics. Cryptids are hidden or unknown animals (at least from a scientific viewpoint). This book presents the stories without fighting for or against their veracity. The only problem with this book and others in this series is that they seriously need a better editor. It is not unusual to have lines or even paragraphs repeated within a couple of pages. The History of Superheroes by Lan Dong This is a Great Courses/Audible presentation of the history of superheroes in the comics and video. It is a short presentation, and it is good to get a perspective about which heroes worked well at what era and why. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - Chicago - Ellicott City

November 30, 2025 Peace and Good, As you can see from the title, I spent a week giving a workshop on the Letters of St. Paul to our postulants in Chicago. There are eight of them, and they have a varied ethnic background. Two are Hispanic, one Phillipino/Canadian, one Vietnamese, one Lebanese, one British and two Anglo. In spite of all the different background, they seem to get along very well with each other. The two friars in charge of formation there, Paul and Ian, are doing a great job. I hope they stay on after the coming Provincial Chapters (this coming summer). My children's book on Carlo Acutis has been published. I have to dedicate myself to some more writing projects. I was able to finish a couple of articles for the Messenger magazine in Padua, but I want to get ahead on those articles so that I do not feel rushed. We had a good, quiet Thanksgiving. The friars at my friary go up the hill to the Shrine friary. I have one more class to give at the shrine on December 8th on Mary in the New Testament. I will also be giving two talks at a local parish on the Gospel of Matthew. Pope Leo is visiting Turkey and Lebanon in these days. The archbishop who welcomed him to Istanbul is one of our friars, fr. Martin Kmetec. He is a Slovenian friar who has worked in Turkey for years, and he is now the archbishop of Izmir, the city that is called Smyrna in the Bible. He is the nicest of men. I finished some reading and listening: Experiencing Hubble: Understanding the Greatest Images of the Universe by David Meyer This is a Great Courses video presentation. The professor is clear and enthusiastic, especially as he has worked with the Hubble (on the committee that allots research time with the satellite camera). The photography is magnificent. The statistics are astounding. There are at least 200 billion galaxies in the universe, each of which contains around 100 million stars. That is just mind blowing. I highly recommend this course. Ancient Egypt: 500 Interesting Facts about Egyptian History by Ahoy Publications This is an interesting book from a series which contain factoids on a particular topic, in this case ancient Egypt. It is not profound, but it did have information that I did not know before. A Perfect Spy by John le Carre This was a dramatic presentation of one of le Carre’s books, this one about a British agent who inadvertently becomes a source of information for a communist Czech spy. The British spy disappears, and the British are forced to try to find him. Pharoah Hatshepsut by Hourglass History This is the story of one of the few women who ruled ancient Egypt. She was acting as regent for the future Pharaoh, but then she had herself declared Pharaoh herself. The book was terrible, based on nothing more than wishful thinking and suppositions. Anything bad that might be said against her is rejected as Patriarchal judgment, while anything good is praised (even though much more than half of this is pure supposition without any documentary support). Key to Midnight by Dean Koontz This is a convoluted story of a detective who accidentally comes across a kidnap victim in a place he would never have expected, and how he finds out that she has been brainwashed to forget her past background and established with a totally new identity and memory. This is only the beginning of the confusion which grows till the very end. Great Tours: Civil War Battlefields by Caroline Janney and Peter Carmichael This is a Great Courses presentation of some of the major battles of the Civil War by two professors. Although it is presented as a tour of the battlefield sites, it is not really that. It is much more an overview of those battles (what led up to them, how they were fought, what the result of the battle was, etc.). The information is good. Mysteries of the Microscopic World by Bruce Fleury This is the second Great Courses presentation I have seen. This one deals with bacteria, viruses, etc. The professor has a dry sense of humor which I think adds to the presentation. The course is very informative, speaking both as to what the organisms are and what they have done over the history of mankind. The Great Patriotic War by Charles River Editors Up to now, almost all of the presentations of Charles River have been in the range of 50 to 90 pages. This is a mega presentation of over 500 pages. It deals with the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union during the Second World War. The book has enormous amounts of information and is overall quite well presented (although at a few points it could have used more editorial work). Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart This is a book that is similar to the one on wicked animals that I read a while ago. It is a series of short (mostly 3 to 7 minute) presentations on plants that can be dangerous (for skin irritation, for poison sap, etc.) to humans. Whispers in the Underground by Ben Aaronovitch I really like the works by this author. He presents the story of a detective squad in London which investigates phenomena that are tied to magic and what might be described as magical creatures. The dialog is witty, the action well developed, and the characters becomes one’s friends. This volume deals with a mysterious death in the underground and the discovery of a whole group of people living there. The Gospel of Matthew by Bertrand Buby This is a Learn25 presentation of the Gospel of Matthew. I found this course offered by Buby to be well thought out, informative and very useful. This is an introductory presentation and it could easily be used in a self or group study of the Gospel. The Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War by Charles River Editors This is a short presentation of two wars which led to the unification of Germany under the Prussian royal family. The wars were the work of Bismark who plotted over decades to bring about unification. He first had to weaken the power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire which was presenting itself as the champion of the Germanic peoples, and then he had to unite those people against a foreign enemy, France. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - Pittsburgh - Ellicott City - Chicago

November 16, 2025 I am now in Chicago for a week of classes with the postulants. There are eight of them, and I will be speaking to them of the Letters of St. Paul. I flew in this morning (no difficulties at the airport or in flight) and I will be here til this coming Saturday. This past week I also visited Pittsburgh. I gave a day of recollection at the Capuchiin Friars house of older friars and provincialate. It was on the Gospel of Matthew, given that this is the Gospel we will be using this coming year. I also gave a full day presentation on Matthew yesterday at Ellicott City. We had a good crowd, and I really enjoyed the dialog between myself and those attending. I have been doing some individual presentation these days to ladies' and men's groups on various topics (or simply question and asnwer sessions). I am recovering from my fall in California last month. The elbows are slowly healing, and more significantly the muscles in the arms are slowly getting back to normal. I still cannot carry weights or shake hands, but a lot of the other functions have returned. i finished some reading and listening: Thomas Cromwell by Tracy Borman Cromwell was the Chancellor who governed much of England during the time of Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and marriage to Anne Boylen. He was a Protestant sympathizer, and he worked hard to bind the Church to Henry and not to the Vatican. Some of his religious reforms were due to his Protestant tendencies, while others (such as the dissolution of the monasteries) were largely due to greed. While efficient, he made many enemies who eventually succeeded in separating him from the affections of Henry and which led to his execution for treason. The Catholic Church in the Modern Age by Thomas Madden This is an outline of the history of the Catholic Church from the time of the French Revolution up to the present day. Madden is both very respectful and very informative. He deals with cultural trends and how they affected the Church. He speaks of things such as the two major Vatican Councils and the war against both Marxism and the overly Liberal economic tendencies. This course is well done and well worth the investment in time. Nimrud by Charles River Editors This is one of the short presentations by Charles River Editors. This is on one of the main cities and sometimes capital of the Assyrian Empire. The ancient history, as it is known, of the city is outlined. There is also a lot of information about the archeological digs that have uncovered many of its ruins, and also how thieves and terrorists have impeded further study and have destroyed much of what was found at this site. Worlds at War by Anthony Pagden This book covers the long clash between the East and the West throughout known history. The author presents various major topics and carefully examines each of them to show why history travelled in one direction or another. I found the book a bit disjointed because of this approach, but it did present a lot of good information. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde This is an amusing story about a fearful ghost who inhabits one of the old manor houses of England who has terrorized generations of inhabitants. The ghost finally meets its ultimate fate when a family of Americans move in who are neither afraid of it nor shy about offering suggestions to it about what it might do. The ghost finds itself bored and lonely and defeated, only to be liberated by an innocent child in the family. The Liturgical Year by Richard Fragomeni This presenter in this Learn25 course is a liturgy professor who is very informed and enthusiastic about his topic. He presents the liturgical year as a kaleidoscope of color and smells and sound and practices. He goes through the various liturgical seasons and the reasons for their various feasts and spirituality. London in the Time of Dickens by Lillian Nayder This is a Great Courses presentation on the life and world of Charles Dickens. The author speaks about the city of London in his days, both as it actually was and as it was presented in Dickens’ writings. While some of his writings championed the needs of the poor, others and his own conduct often betrayed his sentiments. Nayder speaks of living conditions, the plight of the destitute, the legal system, society and its past times, etc. throughout the lectures. World War II: Battlefield Europe by David Stone This is a Great Courses presentation on the European dimension of the Second World War. The presenter is thoughtful and thorough. There are 24 lectures in this course, and they are all well worth one’s time and attention. I would recommend both the course and the lecturer. Great Masters: Mahler – His Life and Music by Robert Greenburg I have listened to a series of lectures from the Great Courses by Greenburg. He is a music scholar, and this presentation is on the life and music of Mahler. I cannot say that I like his music, but Greenburg gave me great insight into why Mahler composed his music in the manner in which he did. Mahler comes across as a strange man who was completely absorbed in his music and his own needs, all but ignoring those around him, including his wife. 24 Hours in Ancient Athens by Philip Matyszak This is part of a series of books that present a 24 hour period in an ancient land with vignettes on what some character might be doing at a particular time of the day. These stories are well researched and present a down to earth portrait of the culture of that land. I found the stories entertaining and informative. Egypt’s Golden Couple by Colleen and John Damell This is the story of a royal couple in Egypt, Akhenaten and Nefertiti. They are famous for being the royal couple who moved their capital and who rejected most of the gods of Egypt with the exception of the sun god, possibly a tendency toward monotheism. The book covers who they were, what was expected of them, how they worshipped and were worshipped, and their family background. The Great Tours: Iceland by Jennifer Verdolin This is a tour of Iceland with an explanation of its history and a description of its people, language and culture. It could probably have been a shorter presentation (Great Courses) because the presenter begin to describe every single mountain and fiord and waterfall, a bit much. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - San Diego - Arroyo Grande - Ellicott City

October 23, 2025 Peace and Good I am sorry that my lest blog was so long ago, but a lot has been happening. I travelled to a parish on Coronado Island in San Diego where I presented a couple of weeks of Bible Study courses. I have been there a number of times, and have always enjoyed myself there. There was a good turn out and we were able to study Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of Matthew. I met a lot of nice people, and i felt quite at home. From there I flew up to San Luis Obispo (halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco) where our novitiate is located in Arroyo Grande. There are five novices this year, and I presented a workshop on the Gospels and Psalms. The teaching went very well. The only problem was that I had an accident. I was walking in a dark parking lot, and ran into a low brick wall, sumersalting over it. I ended up with cuts and six stitches on my forehead. There is a split in a small bone in my elbow. The muscles in both arms are giving me a lot of pain. They are a little better each day, but still quite painful. I flew back to Baltimore on the 12th. I flew United, and they took very good care of me on the trip. I have visited a couple of doctors since I got back, and it is basically a question of giving it time. I have been able to teach here (a four week class on Isaiah and a one day workshop on Acts of the Apostles). I have also met with a couple of ladies groups in these days. I can't wait, though, until I feel better. I finished some reading and listening: Philip Augustus by William Holden Hutton This was the king of France at the beginning of the 13th century and he is the one who extended the power of the monarchy to cover the entire nation (and not simply a small area surrounding the city of Paris). He was not always the easiest person to deal with, as can clearly be seen in the controversy involving his divorce of his Danish wife and his feud with the Pope over this. Yet, he did establish useful institutions in the country and he was beneficial to the peasants who had previously been subject to the rapacious desires of the nobility (including Church officials). Gone for Soldiers by Jeffrey Shaara This is fictional account of the Mexican American War (at least of the conquest of Mexico City by the forces of General Scott). It emphasizes the role of Robert E. Lee as an engineer who also served as an advisor and scout for the General. It more or less canonizes Lee as a saintly figure in the midst of other less worthy leaders. The Colosseum by Mary Beard Mary Beard is a famous British archeologist. This book presents the history of the Colosseum from its building to the present day. It gives a sense of the importance of the structure in ancient Rome, as well as its use. Beard is a down to earth scholar who is not afraid to deal with controversies. I would recommend this book and any of her writings. Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Jennifer Tobin This is a Modern Scholar presentation on the seven wonders of the ancient world. The professor first of all has to establish which wonders should be included (for the list is changeable, even in ancient times). She then speaks of what each of the wonders was and is today. Finally, she speaks of what would have been considered wonders in the Middle Ages, in Modern times, and in the natural world. Anthony Van Dyck by Delphi Classics This book presents the life and works of Van Dyck. He was almost exclusively a portrait painter, and he spent quite a long time in England during the reign of Charles I, just before the English Civil War. His style is very baroque with figures presented in ideal presentations (as opposed to what they really looked like). Treasure in Earthen Vessels: St. Paul’s Spirituality by Ron Witherup This is an overview of major ideas of spirituality in the Letters of St. Paul. Each of the lectures deals with some major topic, such as salvation, ecclesiology, mysticism, etc. The presenter is good (if not great). This is part of the Learn25 series. Towton and Bosworth by Charles River Editors These are two major battles in the English War of the Roses, basically one of the opening battles which led to the crowing in King Edward IV, and one of the closing battles that led to the coronation of King Henry VII. The author deals with the politics of the time which were very personal and changeable, depending on who seemed to be in the ascendency at any given time. Colonial Vietnam by Charles River Editors This short book deals with the history of Vietnam in ancient times, during its French colonial days, and then during the Vietnam War which involved U.S. troops. It is able to establish some of the cultural and societal reasons why the country had such a difficult time throughout history. Masterworks of American Art by William Kloss This is a 24 lecture presentation from the Great Courses on American (North) from its earliest days to the beginning of the 20th century. The professor is great, and I have learned much about artistic influences, hidden messages in pictures, the growing proficiency of American artists (especially due to their contact with their European contemporaries, perspective in paintings, etc. Prayer and Growth in Christian Life by Thomas Merton I very much like Merton as an author, but I dislike his taped presentations. This series of lectures was made for groups of sisters in the post-Vatican II era. It is filled with many of Merton’s musings on the need for social justice and the future of religious life today. As much as he claims that he respects religious life and the religious with whom he is living, his constant complaints and criticisms betray his antipathy toward both of them. 12 Revolutionary Discoveries that Could Change Everything by Scientific American This presentation of the Great Courses amounts to a series of twelve articles on various topics that were studied by scholars from the Scientific American. Some of the findings are actually revolutionary, others are simply interesting stories that are a bit esoteric. Holy Land: An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology by Leslie Hoppe Leslie Hoppe is a great Biblical scholar. He makes this presentation in the Learn25 series on the history and the present state of biblical archeology in the Holy Land. He speaks of the tendency to do archeology not to prove a theory or back up a given text, but to find out what actually happened. He covers Jewish, Christian and Muslim archeology. He also deals with the need to engage more local archaeologists, especially Palestinians. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude